Switzerland Defend Samorin Crown to Secure Longines EEF Nations Cup Final Place

Report : Eleanore Kelly

Switzerland produced a commanding performance to win the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series South-Central Semi-Final at the X-Bionic Sphere in Šamorín, Slovakia, securing their place in September's Final alongside Austria who were second, Italy- third, Hungary and The Netherlands.- who finished fourth and fifth.

Competing in glorious sunshine before an enthusiastic crowd on the venue's spectacular grass arena, Switzerland finished on eight penalties to successfully defend the Šamorín title they claimed in 2025. Austria finished second on 12 penalties, while Italy joined them on the podium with the same score but a slower overall time. Hungary and The Netherlands completed the top five, booking the remaining qualifying places for the Final in Avenches. 

A world-class field of established championship athletes, together with some of Europe's most exciting emerging talent, descended on the Slovakian venue for the decisive second Semi-Final. Eleven nations took to the immaculate grass arena knowing that only five would progress, producing an afternoon of tactical, high-quality team jumping where every fence carried enormous significance.

Now in its sixth season, the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series has established itself as one of the most important development pathways in international show jumping. Created in 2021 by the European Equestrian Federation in partnership with Longines, the Series gives developing riders, horses and nations the invaluable opportunity to gain championship-style experience in a Nations Cup environment. The competition mirrors the format used at European Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games, where success depends not only on individual brilliance but also on teamwork, strategy and consistency across two demanding rounds.

Šamorín provided the perfect setting for such an important contest. The X-Bionic Sphere returned to the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series calendar for the second consecutive year after hosting the decisive Region Central qualifier in 2025. In 2026 the elite multi-sport complex stepped up to host a Semi-Final for the first time, with its championship-standard grass arena and outstanding facilities receiving widespread praise from riders and officials alike.

Ten nations had earned their place through the Region South and Region Central qualifying leagues, while guest nation Qatar completed the eleven-team field. Although Qatar gained valuable international team experience, only the ten regionally qualified nations were eligible to compete for the five coveted places available in the Final.

The opening Semi-Final at Peelbergen had already confirmed Belgium, Sweden, Spain, France and Great Britain as finalists, leaving the remaining nations to battle for the last five places in Šamorín. Germany arrived after topping the Region Central standings with victories in Mannheim and Budapest, while Italy had dominated Region South with wins at Scuderia La Caccia and Thessaloniki.

Spanish course designer Elena Boix produced a true championship test. Her technical but fair track demanded accuracy, power and precision, with the influential triple combination and delicate closing line ensuring mistakes could come anywhere. Before the competition Boix explained: "I try to build a course that is fair for the horses, difficult but not tricky or bad for the horses. We have very good riders and very good horses in this semi-final. The triple combination tests the power. We try to change the balance of the horses at the end to make it difficult."

The demanding course produced few clear rounds and even fewer double clears. The only athletes to jump faultlessly in both rounds were Switzerland's Bryan Balsiger aboard C-Mistral and Czech Republic's Aleš Opatrný riding Kapsones W. The leaderboard changed dramatically between the two rounds. Hungary led after the opening effort with just a single time penalty, while The Netherlands sat second on two penalties. However, more difficult second rounds saw both teams slip down the order to fourth and fifth respectively, while Switzerland's consistency carried them to a convincing victory.

Swiss Chef d'Equipe Daniel Etter was delighted with the performance after a difficult build-up to the competition. "We had a little bit of a rough start on the first day. We knew we had top riders on top horses and they gave really the best and I'm really proud of them. On Thursday morning I was really hoping that we are on the podium. Yesterday night I was not so sure and then this morning when I walked the course I was quite confident. The course designer did a great job. It was a nice round, it was a tricky round. The riders had to be really 'on point' and with good riding that always helps."

Etter also emphasised the importance of the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series in developing the next generation of championship athletes. "I think it is very important, it is like a bit of a second league and it gives upcoming stars a big chance. Upcoming horses they can get into big sport in nice arenas in super organised shows. I think it's very important that we have this league."

The experienced Swiss quartet demonstrated exactly that blend of established class and developing talent that has become the hallmark of the Series. Leading the team was 64-year-old Olympian and former World No. 1 Pius Schwizer. Riding the 10-year-old stallion Global de Riverland, owned by Gian Battista Lutta, the veteran collected four faults in each round while continuing to develop an exciting new partnership.

"I'm really happy with my new horse. I've ridden him two months. He is a bit green. I am happy with the team members. The facilities here are amazing and the organising committee tried their best to host the show and the Swiss team enjoy coming to this event."

Olympian Bryan Balsiger delivered one of the standout performances of the competition aboard Thomas Balsiger's 12-year-old gelding C-Mistral. Their composed double clear proved invaluable in securing Switzerland's victory.

"I am really happy and proud of my horse- he jumped amazing. To be honest yesterday we had a rough course and sometimes we have to go down to be better after that. Today he showed how he can jump. I am thankful to be on this team. Congrats to my team and we hope for the next competition."

Thirty-year-old Anthony Bourquard, who progressed through the successful Swiss youth programme before establishing himself at senior level, recovered from four faults in the opening round with an excellent clear aboard Esther Steiger's Selle Français Fontaineblau Manciais.

"I really like to come here- such nice facilities, we always feel welcome and we were allowed to jump on the grass arena here. I have to say horses jump really well on this grass arena. We were a strong team and we show it today. This was a nice day for Switzerland. We were a good team today and we feel like a team and I think this is the most important."

Completing the Swiss quartet, Adrian Schmid and his own long-standing partner Chicharito 11 produced a stylish clear round first time out before being withdrawn for the second round once Switzerland had established an unassailable advantage.

"Today all horses jumped well, and riders did an excellent job. I have had my horse since four years old and it's his first Nations Cup win, and I am super happy about the Swiss victory today,"

For Switzerland, victory represented back-to-back Semi-Final successes in Šamorín and provided the ideal preparation for September's Final in Avenches, where they will enjoy home advantage. Their triumph in Slovakia also maintained the momentum of a campaign that would ultimately culminate in victory at the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series Final on home soil.

The five qualifiers from Šamorín now complete an outstanding ten-team line-up for Avenches alongside Belgium, Sweden, Spain, France and Great Britain. As the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series continues to nurture Europe's future championship combinations while delivering world-class team sport, another memorable afternoon in Šamorín demonstrated exactly why the competition has become such a vital part of the international show jumping calendar.

Where to Watch and Follow
Full results of the CSIO3* Samorin Nations Cup can be viewed here.

For the latest updates, team announcements, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the 2026 Longines EEF Series, follow the Longines EEF Series website and the European Equestrian Federation. Join the conversation on the Longines EEF Series social media on Instagram and Facebook.

Download the Longines EEF Series press kit here.

Watch the all the live action on ClipMyHorse.TV, the official livestream partner of the Longines EEF Series.

Full results from the regional qualifiers and semi-finals of the Longines EEF Series 2026 season can be viewed here.